Here in Connecticut, long winters are nothing new. Neither are the stretches of summer that press down upon us with relentless heat and humidity. During each of these two opposite seasons, many homeowners in the region spend a considerable amount more for their heating and cooling bills than they should, if they only had proper air sealing throughout their homes.
Air escapes from homes in a number of places that most homeowners don’t think about. One of the most common statements that people make is that they don’t feel any drafts, so how could they be losing heat through improper air sealing? The answer is simple: most of the hot air that is lost slips out through the attic.
A simple matter of physics
Hot air rises and cold air sinks. This is the concept known as convection; warm air is lighter than cool air so it will rise up through the house until it reaches the attic. In most homes, especially older homes throughout the New England region, these attics are not well insulated and the warm air that you paid money to heat leaks outside.
Because nature abhors a vacuum, cold air filters in through the lower regions of the home, since colder air sinks. As a homeowner, if you’ve ever wondered why the basement of the home is always cold while the upstairs is warm, you now have your answer.
How air sealing can help with energy savings
There are a number of ways that you can go about air sealing your home. Whichever method you choose, the effort will help with energy savings. The average house has enough cracks and gaps between doors, vents, or other fixtures that they add up to the equivalent of an open window. Imagine leaving a window open during the cold winter months.
If you did leave one window open, then you would know that your heater would have to work constantly just to keep the home’s air temperature at the desired level. Air sealing your home will close that virtual window and make a significant impact in the energy savings.
It’s not enough to simply insulate a home; you need to look for those small signs that warm air in the winter, and cold air in the summer, are slipping away.
Checking for leaks
There are two efficient ways to check your home for leaks. The first is to turn off all of the lights in your home and close all the blinds and shades over the windows during a bright, sunny day. Move throughout the house from one room to the next, beginning in the basement and working your way up into the attic.
The outdoor sunlight will shine through the cracks and gaps, highlighting the areas that need air sealing.
The other method is to hire a professional energy auditor to come into your home and locate all of these locations where your energy savings are literally seeping outside. They accomplish this by performing a ‘blower door’ test and will often find leaks in places you might not even think to look or be able to see.
Air sealing techniques
As mentioned, there are a number of air sealing techniques to choose from. Some methods will work better for certain areas while others may not be as efficient. It’s best to consult a professional before tackling any air sealing project.
Some of the most common air sealing techniques are caulking and weather-stripping, though there are other methods as well. The simple act of air sealing your home can save hundreds of dollars a month on your heating and cooling bill and can be a boon to your energy savings efforts.
